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Open Source Software

Posted by wiblogadmin in Software Design | Web Site - (1 Comments)

One very important tool that Web Impakt uses is open source software. Open source software is software that can be freely given away. The source code for the program is available so other programmers can access it and make changes. This means that Web Impakt can use an open source shopping cart program like OSCommerce and modify it to meet our customer’s requirements. It saves our customers money because Web Impakt doesn’t have to take the time to program credit card processing, reports, item storage etc.

The greatest benefit of open source software is the fact that the solutions created under the open source model may not have been possible under the conventional software creation paradigm. Programmers from around the world put their heads together to create robust and innovative code.

This article on CNET.com is summed up in it’s title: Any CIO not using open source “should be fired”: a conversation with CIOs. Web Impakt believes that as well. Most of our dynamic web programs and websites are all built on the LAMP frame work.

LAMP is an acronym for a solution stack of open source software including the following open source pieces:

Linux – An open source operating system
Apache – The most popular HTTP server on the World Wide Web
MySQL – A database management system with over 10 million users
PHP – A server-side scripting language

Web Impakt utilizes the LAMP framework to deploy inexpensive, reliable and scaleable software solutions.

Web 2.0

Posted by wiblogadmin in Business | Software Design | Web Site - (0 Comments)

The latest web design buzz word is “Web 2.0.” What does it mean?  Basically, Web 2.0 is the second generation of web development.  Wikipedia explains the mouse1.jpghistory here.   A Web 2.0 website allows for a rich user experience including: blogs, pod casts, wiki and feeds.  Web 2.0 uses technology like Ajax to make an internet application perform like a desktop application.To design a site with Web 2.0 in mind,   the navigation must be simple and the design must be clean and uncluttered.   A bold logo and strong colors are usually incorporated into a Web 2.0 web design.   This fontshop.com article displays some of the latest in Web 2.0 logo design.  Â

Here is a Web 2.0 how-to design guide , that will walk you through even more details about how to achieve a Web 2.0 look and feel.

Web Impakt strives to keep up with the latest technology.  Contact us today to update your old website to Web 2.0.

Successful Online Forum

Posted by wiblogadmin in Business | Marketing | Web Site - (0 Comments)

  Similar to the literal definition of a forum “A public meeting or assembly for open discussion” a web seiforum.gifforum is “A web site that allows for individuals to meet for open discussion.” Web Impakt has created many forums.Â

The Southeast Idaho Singles forum posts many announcements and allows singles from the Idaho Falls area to meet.  Â

Web Impakt has also created a very successful form for our client Bradley hspace=”10″ alt=”chiefs.gif” height=”120″ title=”Chiefs Network Forum” />Business Group.  The Chiefs Network Forum is only for invited users but has over 600 registered members.

Creating a successful online community takes a lot patience and hard work.  Some successful forums include Gamespot forums, Reality TV World Forum and Small Business Forum.

Here are a few hints to create a successful forum:

  • Be an expert on the forum topic.   Make significant and original posts.
  • Find a group of people to start the forum with you.  It is difficult to create interest if you are the only one posting.
  • Create a newsletter or mailing list.  If there is interest in the newsletter, switching over to a forum will be easy.

What is Hosting?

Posted by wiblogadmin in Web Site - (0 Comments)

A savvy businessman approached me about a website the other day.  He was a specialist in his field and didn’t have time to learn the ways of the web.  That’s why he was inquiring of me.  He needed a website to boost his business to the next level.  I put my price quote together and sent it to him.

His main concern was the monthly web hosting charge.  He didn’t understand what he was getting in return for the monthly hosting charge.  I suspect many people are the same way.  If their expertise is in another field then how would they know what “hosting” was if no one had ever server.jpgexplained it to them.

What is hosting?

According to Wikipedia, a web hosting service allows websites to be accessible via the World Wide Web.  If a website was sitting on my computer there would be no way for someone on the outside of my network to access it.    Therefore, in order to have a website you must have a public host.  Â

Technically, you could use your own PC as a host if it is connected to a network but it is most common to use an Internet Service Provider.   If you were to host your website on your home PC it would require a permanent high speed connection, server hardware and software.  This W3C schools article explains the different aspects of hosting.

Web Impakt Hosting offers many hosting plans for very little cost.  Each of our hosting plans comes with email, storage, backup and everything you need for your online presence.

Image Formats: GIF vs. PNG vs. JPEG

Posted by wiblogadmin in Web Site - (0 Comments)

One of the foundations of web design are images.  If your images are shabby, your web design will look shabby.  I follow some pretty simple rules when deciding how to save an image for the web.  I choose one of the following three formats:  GIF, JPEG or PNG.

The PNG format (pronounced “PING”) was designed to replace the GIF format.  It supports transparency in most browsers and as browsers continue to evolve it will become the superior image format.question mark

Typically try to use the PNG format instead of GIF.

The GIF format is limited to 256 colors.  It was developed back in the day when a PC could only display 256 colors.    A PNG is 20% smaller than the same GIF image.  One benefit that the GIF format has over PNG is the fact it has animation support.Â

Use the GIF or PNG format if your image is a line drawing, simple cartoon or text.

Go here for the W3C quality assurance tips about Gif vs. PNG.

The JPEG format supports full 240 bit color (16 million colors).    Any photographs displayed on your webpage should be saved as a JPG.  One major downfall of the JPEG is that it does not support transparency.   Â

Use the JPEG format if you are displaying a picture or something without sharp edges.

Web Design Fonts

Posted by wiblogadmin in Web Site - (0 Comments)

I would have to say my least favorite font is Commic Sans.  If I get an email from someone or go to a website with a nice big pink Comic Sans my stomach begins to rumble.  For potential customers to take your business and website seriously stick with professional fonts that are available on everyone’s computer.

I would recommend sticking with the following fonts when creating your website:

arialterbuchetverdanahelvetica

I would recommend NOT using this font for your web design:

comic sans

This article from Sitepoint discusses the art of typography and its graduation to the computer screen.

Keep in mind, it is difficult to know what browser and operating system your users are using so try to keep a font that is accessible to the majority of users.

Outsourcing makes good business sense!

Posted by wiblogadmin in Business | Software Design | Web Site - (0 Comments)

There are two options a company can take when faced with a software development and web design projects. These options are to hire an in house development staff or outsource the project to a company with expertise in software and web development.

 

The benefits to outsourcing include the following:

1. You want to spend time managing your business, not managing your software development project.

 

2. You have expertise in your business not in software and web design.

 

3. You don’t have to pay full time employees when there is no work to do.

 

4. You don’t have to provide insurance or any other benefits to sub contractors.

 

5. You can discontinue the contract if you are unhappy with the quality of services you are receiving.

 

6. It is difficult to attract and hire qualified web staff.

 

Web Impakt provides outsourcing services to many industrious successful businesses.

 

These include the following:

Mountain View Hospital

Jensen Jewelers

Pacific Empire Radio

 

These companies benefit from outsourcing all their software and web design needs to Web Impakt.

Content Management System

Posted by wiblogadmin in Business | Web Site - (0 Comments)

Many of Web Impakt’s customers require control over the content of their site. Web Impakt has a comprehensive content management system that will allow users to control their site without any technical knowledge. Here are some examples of user managed sites:

www.hot106point3.comÂ

www.jensen-jewelers.com

There are pro’s and con’s to using a content management system. The con’s of implementing a content management system are as follows:

 

Sometimes, users don’t have a designer’s eye and the user managed site may look unprofessional.

Difficult to implement web design best practices and search engine optimization standards.

User managed sites have design limitations. Usually, content managed sites will have a simpler look so that the users will have the ability to update the site.

As you can image, there are many pro’s to implementing a CMS system. Most importantly, you don’t have to contact your web designer to update the content on your site.

 

SSL Certificates – Do you need one?

Posted by wiblogadmin in Web Site - (0 Comments)

 

Security when browsing the web is a big concern for many website visitors. One way to instill a feeling of security to your website guest is to install a Digital Certificate. Digital Certificates use SSL to offer authentication. SSL is an acronym for Secure Socket Layer, it is a protocol used to manage secure message transmission via the Internet.

 

When data is sent over an SSL it allows the users web browser and the web server exchange data over a 128-bit encrypted connection. Anyone who purchases an SSL must prove their identity to the Certificate Authority. Therefore, when you view a website that has an SSL you can trust that they are who they say they are.

 

The Jensen-Jewelers website is an example of a site that has an SSL Certificate installed.   Note the padlock and HTTPS in the URL.

jensenssl.gif

Anyone who has an E-Commerce site must have a Digital Certificate. Also any website that collects sensitive information like credit cards or social security numbers also needs to have a SSL Certificate installed.

 

You can purchase a digital certificate from webimpakthosting.com

More information about SSL can be found at the Microsoft website here.

Your Company Needs a Website!

Posted by wiblogadmin in Business | Marketing | Web Site - (0 Comments)

company website

This is a pretty bold statement considering I don’t know what your business does. If you are in business today, having a website is essential. Websites are the business cards of this era. It is often the first place people go when making decisions on whom they should do business with. Thousands of companies have websites and you can be certain that your competition already has one.

 

Other benefits of a website include:

*Â Allows your business to complete in a global market

 

*Â Allows you to provide more company and product information

 

*Â Is less costly than any other type of media

 

*Â Allows you to change your product and service info for less money than reprinting catalogs and brochures

 

*Â Allows you to reach potential customers 24/7/365

 

According to this comscore press release, a massive 772 million people were online in May of 2007. Don’t let these users pass you by. Web Impakt can help you design a functional website that will get these customers contacting you!